1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend - Project American Heroes: Bringing Up The Rear

In Part 3, Project American Heroes now has a suspension in the back, one that'll take our big-block's copious amounts of horsepower

Project American Heroes will be contributing to the frivolous waste of rubber with Moser Engineering's fabricated housing and 33-spline axles. Moser Engineering is the premier supplier of rear differentials for almost any application. Known for its speedy, high-quality service, it builds not only outstanding rear differentials for racing, but also assembles stout rears for hot rods and high-performance street cars.

A well-disciplined army shows battle readiness by displaying the highest level of commitment and unity, which results in proficient military teamwork to achieve victory. Battle maneuvers and formation drills are performed in order to teach soldiers to fight as a single unit to overcome the firepower of the enemy. Infantrymen are grouped into various formations, and given tactical instructions from their commander. The most brilliant strategists seek to make the individual soldiers come together into one high-performing military machine that swiftly and confidently conquers the enemy.

On a somewhat smaller scale, Project American Heroes, the 1957 Cars Inc.-bodied, Roadster Shop "chassied" Chevrolet promises to be one high-performing, street-fighting machine that swiftly and confidently conquers the interstates. From this observer's vantage point, every component in Project American Heroes displays spectacular quality along with brilliantly engineered fitment and ease of installation. The sculpted rails of the Roadster Shop Chassis are a work of art. The Heidt's Hot Rod Shop front suspension testifies to the years of experience and hard work that have been poured into manufacturing these suspension components. The soon-to-arrive Smeding Performance 572 big-block, with Racing Head Service, Comp Cams, and Holley components, will provide all the muscle necessary to propel the '57 drop-top to generous highway speeds.

This collection of parts sets the bar high for the finished product. Bringing up the rear for the chassis will include installation of the Moser fabricated housing, mounting the Rock Valley Antique Auto Parts stainless steel tank, installing the Heidt's triangulated 4-bar rear suspension, and plumbing the fuel line with product from Classic Tube. j

The voting is done, and it's official: Armed forces personnel have picked the brilliant blue color scheme with Bel Air trim as the version of Project American Heroes that we will build. Coming in a close second was the green machine. To find out more, or to make a donation, visit www.projectamericanheroes.org.

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With the tank safely secured, we're bringing up the rear with Moser, Heidt's, Air Ride, Classic Tube, and Rock Valley Antique Auto Parts.

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1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend - Project American Heroes: Bringing Up The Rear

Project American Heroes will be contributing to the frivolous waste of rubber with Moser Engineering's fabricated housing and 33-spline axles. Moser Engineering is the premier supplier of rear differentials for almost any application. Known for its speedy, high-quality service, it builds not only outstanding rear differentials for racing, but also assembles stout rears for hot rods and high-performance street cars.

The guys at Roadster Shop TIG-welded these upper control arm brackets for the Heidt's Four Bar rear suspension. A 3/8-inch thick face plate, and standard internal gussets and bulk heads make sure the torque from the 572 Rat will transfer nicely to the rear wheels.

Combination lower control arm/shock mount bracket is attached to the housing. Moser's Fabricated housings are made from 1/8-inch thick, laser-cut mild steel, which is fabricated from one triangulated piece of metal. Available at any width, the Moser Fabricated housings use 3-inch x .25-inch thick DOM tubing, with any choice of housing ends.

Air Ride Technologies provided its ShockWaves for the Project American Heroes build. With proven, patented sealing technology, anodized billet aluminum construction, and 16-position adjustable valving, the '57 will not only handle like a road racer, but will also ride well and provide the ultimate adjustable stance.

Installation of the rear suspension involves bolting the ShockWaves to the upper shock mount crossmember.

With ShockWaves in place, the housing is joined to the ShockWaves via the lower mounting fasteners.

The Heidt's lower control arm is bolted to the Roadster Shop brackets that have already been TIG-welded to the Moser housing.

The Heidt's stainless steel upper control arm is installed, making sure to properly align the housing with identical arm lengths side to side.

The Heidt's triangulated 4-bar suspension does not require a Panhard rod. The Heidt's bars are fully adjustable, 1-inch x .156-inch tube with 3/4-inch stainless adjusters and urethane bushings for both strength and minimal flex.

Studs are installed for later installation of the center section.

The Roadster Shop Tri-Five Chassis equipped with suspension and brakes almost gives the impression that it's already anxious to hit the streets. Every component contributes to produce a symphony of state-of-the-art handling, braking, and performance for the drop-top's foundation.

Rock Valley Antique Auto Parts Stainless Steel tank is set in place, and propped up to approximate location.

The tank will be more carefully fitted when brackets have been fabricated for mounting.

Fuel tank mounting brackets are fabricated in order to be welded to the tank with bolt-on attachment to the framerails.

Brackets are ground smooth for appearance and to help facilitate strong welds.

Edges get cleaned up on the grinding wheel.

With final measurements made, and the tank positioned with clearance for the filler neck and fuel line, the bracket is welded to the tank.

On the passenger side, Doug Leetzow TIG-welds the bracket to the tank.

The tank is removed and holes are drilled in both the brackets and the frame, holes are tapped, and the fuel tank is mounted.

Beginning with an 8-foot length of Classic Tube's 1/2-inch fuel line, Chris Patzer from the Roadster Shop begins routing the line around various obstacles.

Care is taken to create bends that in no way restrict fuel delivery.

The fuel line is marked at the point in which the line must angle.

The 1/2-inch fuel line from Classic Tube is plenty strong, requiring slightly more effort to bend than a smaller brake line. For that reason, the big boy bending tool is called into service.

Bends must be both the proper angle and square.

Measurements are made to create a line that works around the various obstructions in the frame.

Chris determines to trim the line in an open place for installation of the union that will mate the front and rear hard lines together.

The line is trimmed and flared to create a union just behind the tubular chassis support.

Connection is now in place for a union to the front hard line. For now, the line will wait for completion until the motor arrives so that the optimum location can be determined.

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